Hey Greg -- sorry to hear that your family had this experience!
I also recommend the cameras. They're inexpensive enough that virtually everyone can self-equip.
FYI: there are reasons other than burglaries to have them.
For instance, my son and I have watched possums, cats, and skunks perusing our yard -- which is a lot of fun to view and discuss, especially since there are young questions such as "what happens when we sleep".
My answer: the skunks come out to play...so the stink keeps the boogie man away ;-) ha ha
What's more funny (or ironic) is that my wife teased the hell out of me for wanting the cameras, in the first place. My reasoning was simple - we typically would hire a house-sitter. So, I just wanted to go the cheaper route & get 24/7 "eyes".
Anyway, after returning from our summer vacation - we came home to find our parking passes had been removed from the car & several parking tickets on the windshield.
I reviewed the tapes - found that my wonderful neighbor thought it necessary to help himself to our passes. douche.
yeah, so the wife now loves telling the story & swears by the cameras.
***
Oh yeah, the monitor is downstairs in my office. It's nice to know who's at the door before I stop what I'm doing to go check. Yeah, that kid that's selling candy...he gets no love -- ha ha
This may sound silly, but being a contractor, I always assume that I am on tape with every word that I speak and every action that I perform. I am the most extremely honest guy, but I watch my stuff....I don't make statements or do actions that could provocate anybody. Cameras are cheap.. I work in homes that are multi-million in the dollars. Sometimes people trust me and my worker so much...it is scary..however, we always presume a camera or recording device is on. We don't ever do anything wrong, but we always presume that we are being recorded.
I am currently working for a woman...I have never met the husband...They are the very best people that I have ever worked for in my life. We knock on the door in the morning and she is there with coffee to meet us. Sometimes we go downstairs and talk about what we are doing...(she is really really smart!). We love her and would do anything for her. We have never negotiated a payment plan or cost. She just pays us every two days in cash (which of course I declare)...not a complaint or a bad thing...she is loving and wonderful...I would love to work for her forever. She is the most giving and great person that I have ever worked for. That means so much more than just "good money" for me.
She is unreal............Her friendship is worth more to me than the project...she is such a woman...I am working with my friend that does tile and he is married...he is so turned on by her (everybody should be)...she isn't a goddess, but she is the real "woman" deal with submissiveness, love and charm. She is hard to describe...she is "so rare". She has the most lucky husband in the world.
Anyway............catch your breath!
Love you,
Bill